As the race for Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge nears its May 2 conclusion, the candidates are reflecting on the campaign season and making a last pitch to voters in the final days before votes are tallied.
Local attorney Jacob Estes and current city prosecutor for the Bellefontaine Municipal Court, Crystal Welsh, are vying for the Republican nomination for the position. The winner of the primary will run unopposed in the General Election, as there is no Democratic candidate in the race.
Welsh said she is grateful for the experience of campaigning and meeting many Logan County residents in recent months. She hopes that daily experience inside the court will give her an edge with voters.
“I am feeling extremely humbled and blessed to be in the race. In my 3.5 years working as the Chief Municipal Court Prosecutor, I’ve been able to build a reputation of trust and respect while making connections within the community that empowered me to run for Municipal Court Judge,” she said this week.
“I started campaigning in August of last year, so it has been a long and exciting run. I have always worked hard for everything I have and put that same energy into this campaign.
“Logan County has been so welcoming to me and the kindness and support has been overwhelming. I am very excited for May 2. Win or lose, I am still proud of the race I ran and grateful for the people I have met.”
Estes also possesses a deep familiarity with the inner workings of the court system. Prior to becoming an attorney, Estes served the Logan County Juvenile Court as a probation officer from 2001-2003 and was a parole officer for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction from 2003-2013.
In private practice, Estes serves Logan and surrounding counties in the areas of criminal, family and probate law. In addition to his law practice, he has served as a lecturer for The Ohio State University for the past nine years, and has also taught a course at the Urbana University and Bluffton College.
Estes said his campaign to become a judge is over 20 years in the making.
“My dream to become Judge began in 2001 when I began employment as a Juvenile Probation Officer with Judge Michael Brady of the Logan County Juvenile Court,” he said. “It was at that time I knew that becoming a Judge was in my future.
“I spent the next 20 years preparing myself for this monumental opportunity.”
Both candidates recognize the empathy and heart for people required to be a successful judge.
Prior to attending law school, Welsh worked in a number of retail and customer service positions. She also spent nearly 10 years as a social worker for the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services.
“I want to be Municipal Court Judge so that I can help keep Logan County a safe and enjoyable place to live,” she said. “I will be a fair and impartial Judge that will be consistent and fair to everyone that comes in contact with the Court, but also hold defendants accountable for their actions.
“Nobody is above the law. As Chief Municipal Prosecutor I already evaluate cases on what is fair and just to prosecute and review the evidence to determine if charges are warranted. I will continue to be fair and reasonable if elected Judge.”
“I have a good working relationship with the attorneys that come to the court, the defendants I interact with as well as law enforcement and court staff. I am already aware of how the court runs, changes that could be made to improve the process and the flow of the Court.”
Estes is vice president of the Logan County Bar Association and the Logan County Children’s Services Board. He has coached youth sports in Logan County for many years and his family are active members of Bellefontaine Grace Church.
He said he’s been overwhelmed by the support of family, friends and even complete strangers who have expressed support for his candidacy.
“To see so many people support and believe in me further motivates me to continue to strive for excellence in everything that I do,” said Estes, who has resided in Logan County for the past 22 years and will celebrate 24 years of marriage this summer with his wife, Jennifer (Boy) Estes.
Both candidates bring unique experiences and accomplished resumes to the ballot. If yard signs are any indication, lining street after street often back-to-back from each other, the race will be closely decided and may well come down to a few votes on Tuesday, May 2.